SINGAPORE - A man believed to have robbed a woman of $850 using a knife was arrested within 12 hours.

A sales assistant of a commercial premise at Block 531, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, reported at 1.20pm on Wednesday (Jan 20) that a man wearing a surgical mask and armed with a knife had robbed her of $850 in cash before fleeing.

After extensive investigations, the man's identity was established and the 25-year-old was arrested near Block 22, Marsiling Drive, at about 1am on Thursday (Jan 21), within 12 hours of the report being made. A knife and surgical masks were seized.

If convicted of armed robbery, he could be jailed for up to 14 years and given at least 12 strokes of the cane.